First there was bewilderment related to statements by Trump administration’s high officials indicating the possibility of the continuation of the same brutal regime, but then a positive evaluation of the United States’ retaliatory action against Syrian forces engaged in the chemical weapon attacks against civilians.

Many in the Middle East (with the exception of the Syrian and Iranian governments and their supporters) have lamented the failure of President Barack Obama to effectively react to the first chemical attack by the Syrian government, which could have saved many lives and expedited the democratic transformation in Syria.

Now, it is hoped that the Trump administration will ensure implementation of the two declared United States foreign policy goals, which are also the United Nations goals in Syria: the defeat the terrorist groups — such as the so-called the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Jabahat Fatih Ashaam (JFA) (an affiliate of al-Qaida) — and the transformation of Syria into a truly democratic and peaceful state where the rule of law and respect for human rights will be the governing principles.

The proposed process should be supervised by of the U.N., notwithstanding Russian support to the Syrian government. Justice must be applied against all those engaged in crimes against the Syrian people, which are crimes against humanity.

The Syrian government brutality including the use of chemical weapons against its own people, should bring together all the members of the United Nations Security Council to prevent once and for all the use of such weapons.

The Russian military intervention and that of Iran and its supported militias from Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Hezbollah (Lebanon,) have paralyzed the council. Therefore, the United States, and the European and Arab states should press the U.N. to ensure enforcement of the main goal of transforming Syria into a truly democratic state.

This must come through free and fair elections under the supervision of the United Nations. It must be followed by the establishment of a new government truly representing the aspirations of the Syrian people, and the drafting of a new democratic constitution that must be approved by the Syrian people through a U.N.-organized referendum.

Reviewing the policies and practices of the present Syrian government, it would be impossible to achieve this noble goal without exerting pressure on Russia and Iran.

Meanwhile, both ISIS and JFA must be defeated and not given any safe heaven. Iran cannot claim that its actions and of its supported militias are based on request from the Syrian government. The civil war in Syria, which is abetted by Iran, is a threat to international peace and security. The security council’s involvement in the Syrian civil war is acting in accordance with Chapter VII of it charter.

All parties involved in the Syrian conflict must implement the relevant security council resolutions. As for the president of Syria, his political future will depend on the result of the democratization process. However, he is not capable of conducting a democratic transformation in Syria.

The people of the United States must continue to urge the Trump administration and Congress to exert maximum efforts through the U.N. Security Council and other states to bring about the required truly democratic transformation in Syria. To work properly it must occur under the supervision of the United Nations and any solution must ensure defeat of the terrorist organizations and the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.

Amer Araim is an adjunct professor of political science at Diablo Valley College. He is a resident of Walnut Creek.